Alex has a great post up at Sound Off, noting just how different the last seven days was when compared to the Juve hysteria.
Like he says, things might have been so different:
But to look at the results in the above way neglects the subtleties of the recent run of poor results. Fulham could have drawn against City if Okaka had scored when through one on one. Fulham were undone against Tottenham by a decent delivery and a slice of luck. And against Hull, many key first teamers were rested for the upcoming clash with Wolfsburg on thursday night. The myopia of some fans is truly amazing.
He hints at summer signings freshening up the squad, but that – to a certain extent – will depend on how well we do in the run-in and how successfully Roy has managed to persuade MAF of the need for imminent investment.
Spot on article. Especially the comment views on the fringe players. Roy is blamed for not playing them enough – when he does; they are accused of not being good enough.
It is very difficult for a mid-level Premiership club like Fulham to have strength (and quality) in depth. Players want to play regularly, so often will happily move to teams like Burnley (for example) or even to the Championship to get first team football. Players are less happy to be on the bench, unless they are doing so at a “big” club where they have a chance of winning something. If they are bench players who are good enough to be in the first team, they are unlikely to stick around if they aren’t playing regularly.
The criticism of Greening to me seems perplexing. Sure, he’s no Murphy. But he’s a model professional, a good player with Premiership experience, and one who will not complain if he’s on the bench. He hasn’t let us down so far – surely the main role of a player who is effectively cover?
If Kelly was good enough to be a regular first team player in the Premiership, then he would be doing so at another club. In my view, he is adequate cover. Of course he’s not going to be as good as Panstil: that’s why Pantsil is 1st choice and not Kelly.
I think the main negative from Hodgson’s tenure as manager is that expectations are now as high as they have ever been. Fulham now get criticised for not making it to Wembley, when they were playing their 50th game of the season, a replay away against fourth-placed Spurs (who haven’t had Europe to contend with). The players who came on alone cost as much as the entire Fulham team. But of course, once Fulham lose, people start spouting off, saying “Not Good Enough!”
Of course it’s annoying when we lose to teams like Hull. But that’s football. We can’t expect us be beat better clubs without expecting worse clubs to beat us – that is simply the way football works. If you want to support a team where you expect to win every game, go down the round and follow Chelsea. Or join the hoardes of Londoners who support Manchester United!
I agree about investment. A couple of players will do. I see no real for rationale for all these cries for “If we have ambition, we must spend millions and millions! We may come 6th if we do so!” It’s simply irresponsible. The rewards do not cover the costs, and the massive financial risk that will be put on the club. We don’t want to end up the way of Portsmouth, Leeds, even Chester City. I, for one, am quite happy as we are, thank you very much.